A MAN was remanded in custody for sentencing after being convicted of assaulting a homeless man in Limerick City with a glass bottle, causing the victim brain injury.
Kevin Meehan (31), of Inbhear na Sionna, Shannon, County Clare, denied charges of assault causing harm and producing a vodka bottle in an unlawful manner, but was found guilty by a jury following his trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
The victim was sleeping in a doorway of a shop off O’Connell Street in Limerick City when he woke to find Mr Meehan searching his pockets, the court heard.
Meehan then set upon the victim, punching him in the face and hitting him on the back of his head with the vodka bottle.
The victim, a man in his 30s, sustained a bleed on his brain in the attack but was still able to identify Meehan to Gardaí when they arrived on the scene.
The unprovoked attack occurred on the night of January 21, 2025, and Meehan was arrested by Gardaí a short time later in another part of the city centre.
Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by Limerick City State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, described the victim as a “somewhat vulnerable man” who had been “bedding down for the night” in an alcove of a shop doorway when Meehan set upon him.
The victim told the court that he was punched “numerous” times and was struck twice with the bottle on the back of his head.
“I was scared. I honestly don’t remember (the attack) stopping, I would have blacked out,” the victim said.
“They (doctors) said I had a bleed on my brain and numerous lacerations.”
Gardaí said that when they arrived at the scene they found the victim seriously injured and Meehan attempting to hug and kiss his head.
The victim initially told Gardaí he had fallen and did not know Meehan.
Gardaí, fearing for the victim’s life, initially asked Meehan to leave the area so they could speak to the victim, who then identified Meehan as his attacker.
Meehan told Gardaí he was with the victim but denied attacking him.
Under cross examination by Meehan’s barrister, Liam Carroll BL, the victim agreed he had been drinking and couldn’t recall what happened on the night.
Garda Katie Forde, Henry Street Garda Station, gave evidence of arriving on the scene and observing “blood pumping out of (the victim’s) face”. She said she directed Meehan to leave the area in order to ensure “the preservation of life” of the victim.
She said Meehan was “highly abusive” and “threatened to headbutt” Gardaí when they encountered him a short distance away.
It was accepted by all parties that both the victim and Meehan were highly intoxicated on the night.
Gardaí denied a suggestion by Meehan’s barrister that the victim had not told Gardaí that Meehan was the assailant but the victim merely pointed in the direction of a street where Meehan had been walking.
Mr Carroll said he “did not doubt” the victim had been assaulted, but argued that the State had not proved beyond a reasonable doubt – as required – that Meehan was the perpetrator.
Mr Carroll told the jury there were no independent witnesses and no CCTV evidence to corroborate the State’s allegations. The victim acknowledged in court he could not clearly remember everything in his Garda statement about the night.
The jury of six men and six women however, found Meehan guilty on both counts.
He was remanded in custody to appear before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing in March.